1. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Chapter 5 Homeostasis, Adaptation, and Stress

2. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins A relatively stable state of physiologic equilibrium –Body maintains homeostasis by adjusting and readjusting to changes in internal and external environment Homeostasis

3. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Implies that entities in physiologic, psychological, social, and spiritual areas contribute to the whole of a person Two commonly held beliefs of holism: –Both the mind and body directly influence humans –Relationship between the mind and body can potentially sustain health as well as cause illness Holism

4. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Stressors are factors that cause stress Types: –Physiologic –Psychological –Social –Spiritual Stressors

5. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Adaptation Use of self-protective properties and mechanisms Purpose of adaptation is to regulate homeostasis Neurotransmitters mediate homeostatic adaptive responses Unsuccessful adaptation results in stress

6. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Stress Physiologic and behavioral responses to disequilibrium Caused by: –Physical, physiologic, or emotional internal or external changes that disrupt homeostasis Has physical, emotional, and cognitive effects

7. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Factors That Affect Response to Stress Intensity, number, duration of stressor(s) Physical health status Life experiences; coping strategies Social support; personal beliefs Attitudes Values

8. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Physiologic Stress Response General adaptation syndrome: propounded by Hans Selye Study: collective physiologic processes of the stress response –Body’s physical response is always the same –Syndrome follows one-, two-, or three- stage pattern

9. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome: Alarm Stage Alarm stage Resistance stage Exhaustion stage

10. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Stages of the General Adaptation Syndrome

11. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Question Is the following statement true or false? The alarm stage is the last stage according to the general adaptation syndrome.

12. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Answer False. The alarm stage is the first stage according to the general adaptation syndrome.

13. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Psychological Stress Response Coping strategies –Coping mechanisms used by humans to prevent their ego, or reality base, from feeling inadequate Help to deal with stress-provoking events or situations

14. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Coping Strategies Coping strategies can be: –Therapeutic: help the person to acquire insight, gain confidence to confront reality, develop emotional maturity –Nontherapeutic: using mind/mood- altering substances, hostility/aggression, excessive sleep; conflict avoidance; abandonment of social activities

15. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Stress-Related Disorders Result from prolonged stimulation of autonomic nervous and endocrine systems –Many stress-related diseases involve allergic, inflammatory, or altered immune responses –Prolonged anger, feelings of helplessness, and worry can affect immune-system– mediated diseases

16. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Nursing Implications Caring for stressed clients –Identify the stressors –Assess the client’s response to stress –Eliminate or reduce the stressors –Prevent additional stressors

17. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Nursing Implications (cont’d) Caring for stressed clients (cont’d) –Promote client’s physiologic adaptive responses –Support client’s psychological coping strategies –Assist in maintenance of social support –Implement stress reduction/management techniques

18. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Nursing Implications (cont’d) Assessment of stressors –Social Readjustment Rating Scale tool to assess the level of stress of patients Prevention of stressors –Primary prevention –Secondary prevention –Tertiary prevention

19. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Stress-Reduction Techniques Provide adequate explanations in understandable language Keep client and family informed Demonstrate confidence and expertise when providing nursing care Remain calm during crises

20. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Be available to the client Respond promptly to the client’s signal for assistance Encourage family interaction Advocate on behalf of the client Refer the client and family to organizations or people who provide post-discharge assistance Stress-Reduction Techniques (cont’d)

21. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Therapeutic activities that reestablish balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems Have a calming effect; stimulating tactics counterbalance parasympathetic dominance Teaching principles of time management and assertiveness techniques Stress-Management Techniques

22. Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Stress-Management Techniques (cont’d) Endorphins Sensory manipulation Adaptive behavioral activities to enhance adaptation –Alternative thinking –Alternative behaviors –Alternative lifestyles